POEMS

Written April 2nd 1971 in Alice Springs Australia

if I were Fiji bound
these feet no longer
on the ground
desert dust no more
upon my feet
this desire no more
upon my heart
some strange happiness
I would feel
seeing the Suva stalls
dark islanders
haggling
red-necked tourists
from the boat
and the green clad
jungled hills
children perfecting
that very first
english lesson
chanting
give me money
at the speeding
tourist cars
black packed buses
the burning
sunset sky
and a much different song
would I sing
if I were Fiji bound